Latest news with #BBCNewsnight
Spectator
4 days ago
- General
- Spectator
Does the national policing lead understand grooming gangs?
To BBC Newsnight, where DCC Becky Riggs – the national policing lead on child protection and abuse investigations – has hit back at claims by shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick about grooming gangs. Speaking on the programme, Riggs said it was 'not true' that these types of crimes are from predominantly British Pakistani men – despite acknowledging that they are 'overrepresented when you look at their share of the population'. So what is true? Well, Pakistani men are up to five times as likely to be responsible for child sex grooming offences than the general population, according to figures from the Hydrant Programme, which investigates child sex abuse. Around one in 73 Muslim men over 16 have been prosecuted for 'group-localised child sexual exploitation' in Rotherham, research by academics from the universities of Reading and Chichester has revealed. 'All of these issues need tackling,' Riggs added, insisting: 'I'm not here to lessen any of this type of offending in the slightest.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
BBC Newsnight Panellist Slams Claims Jailed Tory Councillor Is Political Prisoner
A BBC Newsnight panellist destroyed claims that a Tory councillor's wife jailed over a tweet she posted during last summer's riots is a political prisoner. Lucy Connolly called for 'mass deportation now' amid false rumours that an illegal immigrant had murdered three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. 'Set fire to all the fucking hotels full of the bastards for all I care, while you're at it take the treacherous government and all the politicians with them,' Connolly posted on X. 'I feel physically sick knowing what these families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist so be it.' She eventually deleted the post later the same day, but was jailed for 31 months after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred. Her appeal against the sentence was rejected by the Supreme Court last week, prompting fresh complaints from the likes of Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson. The Reform UK leader said: 'I want to make it absolutely clear: Lucy Connolly should not be in prison.' But on Newsnight, Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika demolished the argument that she had been wrongly jailed. She said: 'If she had just said the despicable, racist things which she had tweeted on a regular basis, that is fine, that is her right. She might hate people like me, a Muslim person like me, the colour of my skin, she might hate that. That is her right. But when she says to go and burn down hotels where people like me, brown skinned people, anyone else might be, that's when she crosses the line. 'You can say your hateful, horrible things, but if you then go, when we are in the middle of a tinderbox situation, where half the country is about the erupt into violence, and you literally incite violence while people are committing acts of violence, I don't understand why people are so confused about this case.' She added: 'The idea that this country is not a free country is completely and utterly ludicrous. That woman was inciting violence. She is free to think her horrible, racist thoughts. That is fine. What she isn't allowed to do is go and incite violence.' "That woman was inciting violence. She is free to think her horrible, horrible, racist thoughts. That is fine. What she isn't allowed to do is go and incite violence." Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika on the Lucy Connolly case. # — BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 28, 2025 Tories Ripped Apart In Furious Rant By BBC Newsnight Guest: 'They Have Got To Go' Newsnight Just Marked 75 Years Of The NHS In A Way No One Expected Nigel Farage Admits 'Brexit Has Failed' In Astonishing Newsnight Clash
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sky News presenter QUITS TV after 14 years as they announce huge career change and admit 'it's not a decision I've taken lightly'
A Sky News presenter has quit TV after 14 years in journalism for a huge career change, admitting 'it's not a decision I've taken lightly'. The channel's Home and Political Correspondent Matthew Thompson has announced he is set to leave, after three years in the job, in just a matter of weeks. Not only that, the former LBC and BBC Newsnight presenter said his departure will see him exit both the field of journalism entirely - and England. He posted on X yesterday: 'Some personal news. In a couple of weeks, I am leaving Sky News. And indeed, leaving London and journalism altogether. 'It's not a decision I've taken lightly but it's one that's best for me and my family. 'I'll be moving to Edinburgh and into the world of finance.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He continued, explaining to his more than 23,000 followers: 'I won't subject you all to a self-indulgent run through of my career highlights. 'But suffice to say it has been the privilege of my life to spend these last 12 years or so as a journalist. To work with some of the best in the business, and to talk to all of you. 'Thank you to all the people who made it possible, and to all the people who let me tell their stories along the way. 'I've always tried to make it about you, rather than me. I hope I managed that, and that I did the privilege justice. As for next steps… I can say more soon. 'I hope this isn't goodbye. It may be possible to keep some level of engagement on here in my new gig. 'For now, thank you. I've learned so much from reading and speaking with you all over the years. It's made me a better journalist, and a better person. I'll miss it terribly.' He received a raft of sympathetic responses to his post, from people sad to see him go and praising his career with Sky since he joined in June 2022. Fellow Sky News presenter Sarah-Jane Mee said: 'Good luck! We'll miss you.' The post read: 'Some personal news. In a couple of weeks, I am leaving Sky News. And indeed, leaving London and journalism altogether' He received a raft of sympathetic responses to his post, from people sad to see him go and praising his career with Sky since he joined in June 2022 One viewer added: 'Thank you for your work Matthew. I've followed your career and appreciated your professionalism.' Another recalled the impact Matthew's coverage of the trial of Wayne Couzens had on them. The serving Metropolitan Police officer abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in London in March 2021 as she walked home from a friend's house. The 48-year-old, who joined the police in 2002, was sentenced to life in jail in September of the same year for his crimes against the 33-year-old marketing executive. The commenter told Matthew: 'Never forgot your coverage of the Sarah Everard trial. It was probably one of the most fantastic pieces of journalism I've listened to. 'A horrific story covered with pure professionalism, tinged with the emotion many of us felt.' It comes after another Sky News presenter quit just two months ago, after seven years on screen, issuing a statement about the 'tough decision' to devastated fans. Broadcaster Sally Lockwood first joined the channel in 2017 but decided to step down from her role earlier this year. She announced her career move on social media and revealed she would be 'relocating to the Middle East'. In a post on Instagram, Sally wrote: 'Some personal news. It's been a very tough decision after seven very happy years. 'I'll be relocating to the Middle East with my family and launching a new venture in journalism, in partnership with political powerhouse 'You'll still see me on TV, but our new show will be online. Details to follow! 'Thank you to the talented team at Sky for everything they've taught me and for all the unforgettable memories. 'It's such a lucky job being trusted to tell people's stories and to witness history firsthand. To do it with people you call friends, is an utter privilege. 'Stay in touch and click on the link in my bio to subscribe to our new show - coming soon!'
South Wales Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
UK-EU defence pact could be linked to Gibraltar deal
Talks on new rules governing the border between Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the EU in 2020, but so far no agreement has been reached. More recently, the UK has been in negotiation with the EU on a defence and security pact, including British access to a major European defence fund set up in response to US President Donald Trump's apparent reluctance to guarantee the continent's security. Speaking to BBC Newsnight on Monday, Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares suggested progress on the security deal could depend on resolving the issue of Gibraltar's border. He said: 'I think the relationship between UK and European Union, it's a comprehensive relation, a global relation, not just a pick-and-choose relation. Because there are many, many things that we have to talk (about), Gibraltar included. 'So I would like to see a global deal on everything to make sure that the relationship is as smooth as possible.' The Government has said Gibraltar will 'always remain part of the British family', but it had 'inherited a situation' that 'left Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat'. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. The Government, in line with its Conservative predecessors, has said that it will not sign up to a deal that gives sovereignty over Gibraltar to another country, or that the Gibraltarian government is not content with. But several issues remain unresolved, including what role Spanish officials could play in immigration checks for people entering Gibraltar and the status of the territory's airport, which also hosts an RAF base. The Gibraltarian government has previously stressed the importance of operating a 'fluid' border, given the territory's reliance on workers who live in Spain. Mr Albares's comments follow reports suggesting some European countries have sought to make UK concessions on fishing rights part of any defence deal. But both the UK Government and the EU have sought to avoid directly linking defence negotiations to fishing rights. Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: 'Given that whenever Labour negotiates, Britain loses, it's no wonder Spain sees this weak Government as an opportunity. 'Gibraltar is British, end of, and we will remind the Government exactly where the sovereignty of Gibraltar lies.' A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'This Government inherited a situation from the last government which left Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat. 'In the negotiations we have continued from the last government to resolve this, we have been clear that we will only agree a deal that maintains British sovereignty over Gibraltar and has the full backing of Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. 'Gibraltarian citizens are British citizens and Gibraltar will always remain part of the British family.'
North Wales Chronicle
13-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
UK-EU defence pact could be linked to Gibraltar deal
Talks on new rules governing the border between Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the EU in 2020, but so far no agreement has been reached. More recently, the UK has been in negotiation with the EU on a defence and security pact, including British access to a major European defence fund set up in response to US President Donald Trump's apparent reluctance to guarantee the continent's security. Speaking to BBC Newsnight on Monday, Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares suggested progress on the security deal could depend on resolving the issue of Gibraltar's border. He said: 'I think the relationship between UK and European Union, it's a comprehensive relation, a global relation, not just a pick-and-choose relation. Because there are many, many things that we have to talk (about), Gibraltar included. 'So I would like to see a global deal on everything to make sure that the relationship is as smooth as possible.' The Government has said Gibraltar will 'always remain part of the British family', but it had 'inherited a situation' that 'left Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat'. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. The Government, in line with its Conservative predecessors, has said that it will not sign up to a deal that gives sovereignty over Gibraltar to another country, or that the Gibraltarian government is not content with. But several issues remain unresolved, including what role Spanish officials could play in immigration checks for people entering Gibraltar and the status of the territory's airport, which also hosts an RAF base. The Gibraltarian government has previously stressed the importance of operating a 'fluid' border, given the territory's reliance on workers who live in Spain. Mr Albares's comments follow reports suggesting some European countries have sought to make UK concessions on fishing rights part of any defence deal. But both the UK Government and the EU have sought to avoid directly linking defence negotiations to fishing rights. Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: 'Given that whenever Labour negotiates, Britain loses, it's no wonder Spain sees this weak Government as an opportunity. 'Gibraltar is British, end of, and we will remind the Government exactly where the sovereignty of Gibraltar lies.' A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'This Government inherited a situation from the last government which left Gibraltar's economy and way of life under threat. 'In the negotiations we have continued from the last government to resolve this, we have been clear that we will only agree a deal that maintains British sovereignty over Gibraltar and has the full backing of Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. 'Gibraltarian citizens are British citizens and Gibraltar will always remain part of the British family.'
